illegal mining:Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Oct 8: The Odisha government has ordered action against illegal mining and stone crusher units operating in the Dharmasala block of Jajpur district. According to sources, the Steel and Mines Department has directed the Director of Mines (Minor Minerals) and the Jajpur Collector to take steps to address the illegal activities and submit an action taken report.
In a communication to the relevant authorities, Deputy Secretary Rajesh Prasad Nayak stated that they are required to address the complaints promptly and provide a report.
This initiative follows a plea from Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo, who urged Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to take stringent measures against illegal mines, stone crusher units, and quarries in the area.
Most of these operations violate the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Sahoo emphasized that all illegal units should be shut down and legal action taken against their owners. He noted that stone crushing units must be located at least 1 km away from villages, 500 meters from highways, and should not be near water sources, schools, hospitals, or farmland.
